The Washington critic., 1887-12-06
A DELICATE OPERATION.
How u Broken Wing of n Bald-Headed
Eagle was Set.


Perched disconsolately on the edge
of an old tub in the yard back of the
Armory, where the embryo zoologi-
cal garden is at present located, sat,
this morning, an immense "bald'' or
whitehead eagle, with one wing
and his body, as high as his shoul-
ders, covered with white bandages.
The sight of the "bird of freedom
swathed in bandages, like confirmed
invalid, was so unusual that inquiries
were made Of Professor Hornaday, who
has charge OF the collection. 1t was
learned that the eagle was sent in from
Virginia several days ago.
1t is magnificent specimen. With
his wings outstretched, the distance
from tip to tip would be more than
long-armed man could reach with arms
fully extended.
He was sent packed in a shoe-box
much too small for him and SO closely
confined that he could not move "hand
or foot" and the wonder is that he did
not die on the way here.
When taken from the box he was so
weak that he could not stand. 1t was
then found that he had been shot in the
wing with rifle ball, both the radius
and ulna Of the left wing being broken.
q This accounts for his capture.
After an examination, Professor Hor-
naday decided that the bones could be
reset, and this operation, which, it is
safe to say. has never before been performed
ON an eagle, was successfully accomplished
vt the Arnory last week.
"Colonel,n the eagle, was laid on his back
on the operating table, and, Mr.. Palmer
holding l.s head, Professor llornnday lis
llniniured wing and an assistant his feet, tic
unique operation commenced.
First balsani was rubbed on the wound
then sof, cotton was laid over it. ON top o
this still strips of pasteboard were laid, and
then "A piece of wool to make the dressing
firm. Then the dressing was scwod through
between the feathers TO keep it in place, nnt
three more large bandages were wrapped
over the wing and entirely around the BODY
TO keep the wing in the proper plncc BE
sides once in u while making II snap II
the operator5 hands the Colonel did no
offer any resistance, perhaps because In
could not, and almost seemed to appreciate
what was being done for him.
HIS WinE II scltulS HlOilS lilCt'y' III lcN
weeks he will be well enough 80 that tn
dressing can be removed, and lac can Use hi
wings again, and, if given an opportunity
can proDably ty rs well as ever, and thougl
he may go little one-sided he will be jus
us good fc- exhibition purposes lie ha
got quite used 10 hopping around OF
the ground, and divides his time abou
equally between his box and the edge of IL
tub, where hc sits motionless in the sun fo
hours at Il time.
The 200 has already got a Mascot il
"Olivcr Twist" Il praiIic-dog who bring
good luck TO every one but himself. He |
Young, puppy, and was brought in by Pm
lessor Hornaliiy with the original install
inent for the Zoo" While running aroun,
the car he got on top of the box in whic!
Golden, the big Rocky Mountain eagle wa
kept, and fell through between the Stats
Golden caught him "on the fly" and wa
speedily preparing to have prlirie-dog 10
dinner, when Professor Honndny hcarin
the noise, wrcnchCd oil one of the wOUdcl
bars aud rescued his pct
The collection is constantly growing, Las
week Mr.. j. Frank Ellis, with Fish Com
mission ear No. /, sent in two iuccoOns an
TWO opOssums from Macon Ga; one gra
fox and one barred owl from Jacksonville
Fla.